The Function List in OpenOffice Calc

OpenOffice.org Calc: Using the Function List without Opening the Function Wizard

Sometimes you know what you want to do with your data, but you just can’t seem to remember the name of the function that does what you need.

If you open the Function Wizard (which is basically a dialog box for inserting functions) via the Insert menu, you’ll find that while it will walk you through more steps than you probably want to take; it also takes control of your worksheet.

You can’t mess with the data while you’re browsing the list… or whatever else you may want to do with it while you’re creating your formulas.

All of which would be fine if it was your only choice, just short of memorizing them all… fortunately it’s not your only choice, so let me introduce you to the Function List pane.

You can display the Function List via the Insert menu.

(Yeah, I know, you want to see it so you’re thinking the View menu… not in this case.)

On the right side of your program window a list of all the formulas will appear.

You can browse through them by category (use the drop-down list in the upper right corner) and view the description of the currently selected formula at the bottom of the list.

When you find what you need, double-click on the formula name or click the Function button [f(x)] in the upper left corner. In will place the formula into the cell selected at that moment.

That’s all there is to it… you can choose to open and close the Function Wizard or you can leave the Function List open in the window… it’s up to you.

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